NORTH VIETNAM TOUR

After numerous requests to do so we are offering a new tour in Vietnam mainly focused on nothern
attractions. We fully researched our itinerary in May 2016 and with a few minor changes very much
look forward to going back in the highly recommended full on 'green season' of September when it is
said the rice terraces will be at their best. This fantastically beautiful area will give a mix of cultural,
landscape and people photography. We will photograph life on the streets in the capital Hanoi,
ethnic minorities in the markets set amongst the magnificent hills and rice terraces of the north east
and the amazing seascapes of Halong Bay. This tour will start with an exploration of old Hanoi where
you will get the chance to photograph the bustling activity of the people at work and play. Street
food is very much part of life in Hanoi and you will be invited to both photograph and taste the local
street food and beverages. After Hanoi we head north, close to the Chinese border areas in a region
where landscape photographers will find themselves in seventh heaven. We will travel to an area
where hill tribe villages play host to incredibly colourful markets with spectacular views amongst rice
terraces and high mountains. On all Nathan Horton photography tours we make a point of
interacting with local people, so we have designed our itinerary to follow the local market circuit to
encounter as many ethnic minorities as possible, often found in their traditional dress to make for
great photographs.We finish the tour with a relaxing but spectacular exploration of Halong bay; the
well-known UNESCO world heritage site.

This tour has literally got something for everyone.

Tuition:
This tour is focused on improving an in-depth understanding of good travel photography. Nathan is
especially keen to promote three aspects of travel photography; technical competence, creative
observation and ethical responsibility. Introductory workshops cover all three and although they
don't leave the novice out of their depth there's usually enough in these workshops to keep the
most seasoned practitioner interested. After the workshops most of the teaching is done on
location. Constantly unearthing interesting scenarios, Nathan will work alongside the group to help
you understand particular technical challenges, give you artistic inspiration and most importantly,
lead by example in approaching local people. This approach will both open doors and help you take
better pictures. Time is also put aside to help develop your post-production skills so that you can 'up
the wow factor' of your pictures and go home with a portfolio of the tour that anyone would be
proud of. In fact many of our past participants have gone on to win awards or competitions.
Highlights:

• Hanoi

• Vietnamese food
• Local temples
• Local markets
• Ethnic minorities
• Trekking through picture perfect rice terraces
• Spectacular mountain scenery
• Tea plantations
• Halong Bay cruise

Click on map for larger version

Itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport your driver and guide will meet you and
they will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Morning and early afternoon photo workshops (Note - All those who have not done a NHP tour will
be invited to arrive a day early / To ensure early morning attendance at Workshops.

At 15:30pm, we will visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. This is a rare example
of particularly well-preserved Vietnamese architecture. Consisting of 5 courtyards it is a welcome
retreat from the frenetic streets of Hanoi and will give you a gentle introduction to the city.
Later in the afternoon, we will visit Hanoi’s railway tracks. This is something very peculiar to this city
as the railway tracks are sometimes located meters away from entrance door of houses thus offering
some unique photographic opportunities! We will walk along the railway tracks and take some of
the most beautiful pictures to be found in the city.
Our evening will finish with a visit to Dong Xuan Market, where you will be able to see the sellers and
vendors in action and have many photo opportunities.

Overnight at Silk Path Boutique hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi
Hanoi – Explore Hanoi Like a Local
This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at 4am, and we will first visit Quang Ba Flower
Market. This market opens from 12.00 (mid- night) and is open until 5.30 - 6am. After visiting the
market, we will continue to the West Lake, where we will see the locals performing their daily
morning workouts. You will have the chance to photograph the local people starting their busy day
by practicing Tai Chi, aerobics and all manner of exotic practices. Our next stop will be breakfast,
where we will visit Don's Bistro Tay Ho Restaurant (http://www.dons-bistro.com/) to get the view
over the Lake.
Next, we will go to Huu Tiep Lake, better known as ‘B-52 lake’, where US B-52 bomber wreckage
makes an interesting photographic challenge. We will walk in the surrounding areas and visit the
local market: Chau Long Market. If time allows, we will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake, enter to the Ngoc
Son Temple, located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. At noon, we will get back to the hotel and you
will have some free time to enjoy on your own.

In the afternoon, around 3pm, we will start heading to Lao Cai by private van. The trip takes only 5
hours via highway in very good conditions –
We will arrive to Lao Cai at 8:30pm. We will have dinner; check-in at the hotel and we recommend
an early nights sleep.
Day 3: Bac Ha
At 4am, we will meet and start driving to Coc Ly Market. We will prepare a breakfast box, so we can
have breakfast later in the morning. Coc Ly market will be crowded with different ethnic minorities.
Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as the Flower H’mong, Black Dao
and Tay gather to sell and buy their products.

After visiting the market, we will start walking to Truong Do Village of Tay minority, where we will
stop at Mr. Tu’s house for a local lunch. After lunch, we will take some time to relax and walk
around.

In the afternoon we will drive to Bac Ha. In the evening we will visit Ban Pho village - a Flower
H'Mong village.

Day 4: Pan Hou

Bac Ha – Xin Man – Pan Hou
Today, after breakfast, we will leave for Pan Hou. One the way, you will see the surrounding villages.
Then, you will head towards Hoang Su Phi. Enjoy the photo opportunitys afforded by rice terraces,
formed hundreds of years ago by ethnic groups such as La Chi, Dao and Nung. Year by year, layer by
layer, these imposing terraces we can see today have been built and local have never stopped
working on them. Finally, you will stop at Pan Hou village in Thong Nguyen Commune where you will
spend the night. Check-in and enjoy a few hours at your leisure.
Around 4pm, we will meet again to take pictures of the sunset at the village. You might wish to enjoy
a herbal bath at Pan Hou (at your cost).
Evening meal will be taken in the relaxing gardens of our Ecolodge.

Day 5: Pan Hou

In the morning after breakfast, at 8am, you have the option to join a walk beginning at Pan Hou
Village to a Yao Village. We will walk through mountains and rice terrace fields and visit Man Ta Pa
minorities along the way. Around midday, we will enjoy lunch at a local Thai House. Around 2pm, we
start heading back to Pan Hou Village. The trekking lasts for 6 hours (organized by Pan Hou Village ).
We should be back before 4pm.
If you do not want to do the long trek you can do a shorter one (2-3 hours) around the villages near
Pan Hou resort with our own local guide Mr Carn by which time you will know very well.

Around 4pm we will drive to the terraced areas, tea plantations for evening pictures.
Day 6: Quan Ba
Pan Hou Village - Quan Ba town
After breakfast at Pan Hou village we start our journey to spectacular Quan Ba mountain pass (50km
uphill drive). The trip takes around 4-5 hours including some stops en-route to visit villages of the
Tay and Hmong as well as taking photo of the stunning landscapes.
We will continue driving and upon arrival to Quan Ba Town, we will check-in at the guesthouse.
Late afternoon we will take a walk to explore local villages around Quan Ba area. Visit village of the
Zao Ao Dai (Zao with long dress) who live in their most traditional way in a beautiful village at the
foot of Quan Ba mountain range
At sunset we will return to the top of Quan Ba pass we spend time photographing the
amazing panorama, aptly named Heavens Gate, of Tam Son valley which is highlighted with green
rice fields and colourful flower farms, especially the Twin Hills beautifully set amongst immense and
walled-up limestone mountains.
Overnight at guest house in Quan Ba Town

Day 7: Dong Van

Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van
After breakfast we will start heading to Dong Van. On our way, we will go through Yen Minh,
enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the terraced fields, probably among the most beautiful of
Vietnam.
We will continue driving uphill heading to Dong Van. This is a windy road while going on the way up
and down steep mountains with many sharp bends but the amazingly spectacular scenery
compensates. Prepare your camera ready to capture magnificent and beautiful landscapes en-route
as well as to visit some highlights of the region including: The ancient town let of Pho Bang featured
with clay walled, yin & yang roofed houses built centuries ago; Sung Muoi village with typical &
traditional way of life of the Hmong peoples and historical relics of the Vuong Palace to learn about
the past when the Vuong family ruled over the region and control opium production and trading
before we drive about 20km to Dong Van town for lunch and check in hotel. Rest for couple of hours
before we start our trek this afternoon.

In late afternoon, around 4pm we will take a short trek of around 2 hours trek to a nearby H’mong
village we are familiar with. The rest of the evening will be at your leisure in Dong Van Town. Here
you can enjoy the best coffee in the ancient market or enjoy a drink at a bar in the relaxed square.
Day 8: Dong Van
This morning you will drive to Lung Cu to see the Lo Lo tribe as well as the breathtaking view along
the way to Lung Cu near the border with China. We drive back to Dong Van town for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will either drive to another nearby village for a short walk or take a short stroll
to the local town market.

Day 9: Cao Bang

Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Bao Lam - Cao Bang
After breakfast, say goodbye to Dong Van. We leave via the legendary Ma Pi Leng pass; considered
one of the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints in Vietnam, the “King” of the Vietnam’s passes or
Great Wall of Vietnam or the Pyramid of the Meo. At the top of Ma Pi Leng mount is the “Happiness”
road, there has a stone stele recording the marks in the construction process. Next to the road is
abyss; below is the Nho Que River, one of the most unique tectonic valleys in Vietnam.

After arriving in Meo Vac, you will visit a small village of the Lolo, an ethnic group with only about
4,700 peoples near the town. Continue your trip to Cao Bang, where you will stay overnight.
Day 10: Hanoi
Cao Bang town - Bac Kan - Thai Nguyen - Hanoi
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we will start driving back to Hanoi,
stopping on the way to take pictures of local people or visit a tea plantations in Thai Nguyen which is
regarded as the best place in Vietnam for green tea.
Upon arrival to Hanoi, we will check-in at the hotel and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure.
Day 11: Ha Long Bay
Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
This morning, you will depart from your hotel to Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO
World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karts’ landscape. On arrival you will
board your boat, a wooden junk built modelling the old Vietnamese court vessels. This typical boat,
with sails, wide stern and a rectangular superstructure will take you to the World Heritage area, an
open flat roof means you can enjoy 360 degree photo priviledges. All meals will be provided on
board.
Day 12: Hanoi
Ha Long – Hanoi
Enjoy the views of the bay and surrounding islands. Your cruise will continue around the bay while
brunch is served. The vessel will cruise at a slow pace back to the harbor for disembarkation.
Your driver will be waiting for you and you will travel to Hanoi arriving at around 6pm in good time
for a farewell diner.
Day 13: Hanoi
Hanoi departure
Today you will have the day free at your leisure until your driver and guide pick you up 3 hours
before your departure time and transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.
Please Note:
Itinerary days may be subject to changes or variations

Dates:

2017
12th - 24th October

Price:
$4000 per person
Flights:
Please note the following when booking your flights. The tour will start and end in Hanoi.